NEW: Chombo commissions boarding school, scholarship

Walter Nyamukondiwa

Mashonaland West Bureau Chief

GOVERNMENT has commended Makonde Rural District Council in Mashonaland West province for establishing a boarding school and a scholarship fund, saying it complements efforts to improve access to education in rural areas.

Matoranjera High School in Chitomborwizi has been experiencing a decline in enrolment, from a peak of 684 learners in 2023 to just 64.

This decline was primarily due to parents withdrawing their children, citing crumbling infrastructure and the opening of satellite schools nearby.

The deteriorating standards and competition from other schools led to a significant decrease in the number of students attending the school.

Officially launching the boarding school and a scholarship fund to assist disadvantaged learners, Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo emphasised the positive impact this initiative will have on the future of these learners, instilling hope and optimism in the community.

“This is a milestone achievement for Makonde district and the council who have set up a boarding facility at Matoranjera High School,” said Minister Chombo.

“We need more council schools to offer boarding facilities to improve the quality of education for our learners and protect our children, especially the girl child. We know girls are safer at a boarding facility like this one, where their safety and well-being are a top priority.”

Enrolment has since started increasing, with more than 120 learners currently enrolled at the school.

At least 17 learners drawn from Harare, Mutare, Mhangura, Chegutu and Chinhoyi, among others, are boarders at the school.

Makonde RDC chief executive Dr Paradzai Munyede highlighted the council’s commitment to considering the community’s needs and concerns, making the audience feel involved and valued in the decision-making process.

“We realised that the school had lost a lot of learners to nearby satellite schools and thought of converting it to a boarding school to attract people from all over the country,” he said.